An interventional study of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Aggression, sponsored by Dr. Najat Khalifa. Recruiting at 1 site in Canada. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-12.
Sponsored by Dr. Najat Khalifa · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Aggressive behaviours are highly prevalent among people with developmental disabilities, both in community and inpatient or residential settings, with adverse consequences for the individuals involved and others. Some predictive factors, particularly impulsivity, are dynamic with neurobiological underpinnings, and as such amenable to change or neuromodulation using non-invasive brain stimulation techniques. With this in mind, we designed an experimental protocol to determine the efficacy of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) as a non-invasive brain stimulation technique to reduce impulsivity and aggression associated with developmental disability.
This study aims to assess the efficacy of anodal tDCS in modulating Rapid Response Impulsivity (RRI) and reducing incidents of aggression in people with developmental disabilities is residential or hospital settings. Using a single blind, parallel arms, randomized controlled trial design, adults (n=60) aged 18 to 65 with developmental disabilities, who have a history of impulsivity leading to aggression, will be randomised to receive either repetitive anodal or sham tDCS. Enrolled participants will receive either three treatment sessions of tDCS or sham tDCS. Behavioural and impulsivity will be measured before and immediately after treatment, one week, and one month after treatment end. Data will be analysed in SPSS using repeated measures ANOVA.
Exclusion Criteria:
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: Soterix tDCS kit will be used to deliver the stimulation using two sponge electrodes soaked in a saline solution. The stimulation montage will comprise of left anodal Dorsal Lateral Prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) stimulation. The anodal electrode will be placed over the area corresponding to the left DLPFC (F5 of the EEG10-20 international system) and the reference (cathodal) electrode over the right supraorbital ridge. The active stimulation condition will use a constant current of 2mA, delivered via gradual increase and decrease over 10 seconds at the onset and offset of stimulation (current ramps), respectively. The duration a single tDCS session will be 20 minutes.
Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: Soterix tDCS kit will be used to deliver the sham stimulation using two sponge electrodes soaked in a saline solution. The sham stimulation montage will comprise of left anodal Dorsal Lateral Prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) stimulation for 10s only. The anodal electrode will be placed over the area corresponding to the left DLPFC (F5 of the EEG10-20 international system) and the reference (cathodal) electrode over the right supraorbital ridge. The sham tDCS is identical to the active tDCS except that the current will be delivered only in the first 10 seconds, after which the stimulation will cease but with the electrodes still in place throughout the session. The duration of each sham tDCS session will be 20 minutes.
Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
non-invasive brain stimulator
Aggression
To determine the effect of tDCS treatment on aggressive symptoms measured by The Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS); Total weighted scores range from 0-40, with a higher score indicating more aggressive behavior.
Time frame: change from baseline one week and one month after the third tDCS session
Maladaptive behaviors
Behavior Problems Inventory (BPI); The total frequency scores range from 0-120 and severity of self-injurious behaviour and aggression subscales from 18-54, with higher scores indicating higher frequency and severity
Time frame: change from baseline one week and one month after the third tDCS session
Intervention side effects
Tracking potential side effects of tDCS/sham treatments using tDCS adverse effects questionnaire.
Time frame: Up to 72hrs after the first, second, and third active or sham tDCS treatments.
Trait Impulsivity
Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11); The total scores range from 30 - 120, with higher scores indicating higher impulsivity.
Time frame: Baseline
Impulsivity
To determine the effects of tDCS treatment on symptoms of impulsivity measured by the Stop Signals Task (SST)
Time frame: change from baseline and the same day after the third tDCS sessions
Treatment Acceptability
Total scores on the tDCS Treatment Acceptability Questionnaire
Time frame: Up to 72hrs after the third active or sham tDCS treatments.
Plan to share: Yes — All collected IPD including all IPD that underlie results in publication.
Supporting information: Study protocol, Sap, Icf
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Dr. Najat Khalifa